The problem is the region won't stabilize. The government is a corrupt sham and hasn't helped US efforts. Probably better to just rip the bandage off. The problem is the region won’t stabilize. The government is a corrupt sham and hasn’t helped US efforts. Probably better to just rip the bandage off.

2009-11-06T13:35:44-08:00

true

1435569

63604

2009-11-06T13:35:44-08:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/63394?page=1#posts-1429716'>AlienAdvisor</a>:</cite> cable news network says gop politicians destroy all comers in election, voted feuled by lack of action by Obama and reality that obama cant change DC? <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/">http://www.cnn.com/2009/</a>POLITICS/11/03/2009.elections/index.html what you all think, this mean Obama finished in 2012? People say huge GOP uprising due to people who vote Obama and did not end wars right away and give all free healthcare i think american politic is amusing and challenging</blockquote> But they also lost NY-23, the first time in 150 years. Is that a referendum on the GOP, if the two governer races are on Obama? <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/63394?page=1#posts-1429716">AlienAdvisor</a>:</cite> cable news network says gop politicians destroy all comers in election, voted feuled by lack of action by Obama and reality that obama cant change DC? <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/">http://www.cnn.com/2009/</a>POLITICS/11/03/2009.elections/index.html what you all think, this mean Obama finished in 2012? People say huge GOP uprising due to people who vote Obama and did not end wars right away and give all free healthcare i think american politic is amusing and challenging</blockquote> But they also lost NY-23, the first time in 150 years. Is that a referendum on the GOP, if the two governer races are on Obama?

2009-11-04T10:54:05-08:00

true

1430532

63394

2009-11-04T10:54:05-08:00

34325

Nah, it isn't. Nah, it isn’t.

2009-10-27T13:56:53-07:00

true

1410459

62493

2009-10-27T13:56:53-07:00

34325

Someone I saw posting on facebook said it best for me, replying to someone who claimed Obama's selection diminished the prize: "Diminishes!? Lets not forget that they handed a Peace prize to warmongering Kissinger of all people. And Arafat, both of whose actions go directly against the intended recipients as stated by Nobel. The committee is composed of humans, and as such they behave like humans . . . That said, I lived in a country for several years that completely ignored me, on occasion refused to serve me or at times, employ me. That *totally* changed when Obama came to power. Just so you know, that country isn't the U.S. How is that for international atmospherics? Thats not the kinds of changes that get reported because they can't be. They have to be experienced. Besides, MLK's work was primarily a message, Gore too. A human can only do some much physically, a message they can spread however . . ." I think this is true. Under Bush, international politics was very antagonistic, and under Obama it's strikingly less so. Personally I think he didn't NOT deserve it, but I would have waited a bit longer myself. Someone I saw posting on facebook said it best for me, replying to someone who claimed Obama’s selection diminished the prize: “Diminishes!? Lets not forget that they handed a Peace prize to warmongering Kissinger of all people. And Arafat, both of whose actions go directly against the intended recipients as stated by Nobel. The committee is composed of humans, and as such they behave like humans . . . That said, I lived in a country for several years that completely ignored me, on occasion refused to serve me or at times, employ me. That totally changed when Obama came to power. Just so you know, that country isn’t the U.S. How is that for international atmospherics? Thats not the kinds of changes that get reported because they can’t be. They have to be experienced. Besides, MLK’s work was primarily a message, Gore too. A human can only do some much physically, a message they can spread however . . ." I think this is true. Under Bush, international politics was very antagonistic, and under Obama it’s strikingly less so. Personally I think he didn’t NOT deserve it, but I would have waited a bit longer myself.

2009-10-09T17:58:54-07:00

true

1356378

59927

2009-10-09T17:58:54-07:00

34325

Obama said that the public option would pay for itself by premiums. It will require startup money, but from what I understand, will not use tax money for its normal operations. The difference in efficiency between this plan and other government programs is the existence of the special board of doctors and health care professionals who not only will deliver a yearly review of the cost overruns to Congress, as they do now, but will be empowered to make the changes these reports suggest. In the speech on Wednesday Obama also hinted at a trigger that would mandate spending cuts if the program runs in the red. Mandates are vital to the plan. According to the speech, emergency room visits by uninsured people add $1000 to the cost of health insurance of people who buy insurance per year. You're already paying for these people. This removes the burden of those visits from the hospitals and insurance companies, and ultimately, the consumer. This also allows for affordable private health insurance, as the currently uninsured will be able to purchase as part of a group, immediately lowering costs. I've been on health insurance in both small and large businesses, and the small ones were always far more expensive. Mandates allow the uninsured, and even small businesses, to get these lower rates. As far as Health Care companies providing better Quality of Service - yes, that's how it should work. But instead of improving their product and cutting prices for competition, insurance companies hold their bottom line by dropping policy holders and instituting caps on payouts. It is the only service in the free market that behaves this way. These changes would force that to change, and push these companies to operate in such a way that the free market works for the consumer, not against him. Obama said that the public option would pay for itself by premiums. It will require startup money, but from what I understand, will not use tax money for its normal operations. The difference in efficiency between this plan and other government programs is the existence of the special board of doctors and health care professionals who not only will deliver a yearly review of the cost overruns to Congress, as they do now, but will be empowered to make the changes these reports suggest. In the speech on Wednesday Obama also hinted at a trigger that would mandate spending cuts if the program runs in the red. Mandates are vital to the plan. According to the speech, emergency room visits by uninsured people add $1000 to the cost of health insurance of people who buy insurance per year. You’re already paying for these people. This removes the burden of those visits from the hospitals and insurance companies, and ultimately, the consumer. This also allows for affordable private health insurance, as the currently uninsured will be able to purchase as part of a group, immediately lowering costs. I’ve been on health insurance in both small and large businesses, and the small ones were always far more expensive. Mandates allow the uninsured, and even small businesses, to get these lower rates. As far as Health Care companies providing better Quality of Service – yes, that’s how it should work. But instead of improving their product and cutting prices for competition, insurance companies hold their bottom line by dropping policy holders and instituting caps on payouts. It is the only service in the free market that behaves this way. These changes would force that to change, and push these companies to operate in such a way that the free market works for the consumer, not against him.

2009-09-11T02:12:50-07:00

true

1289045

56479

2009-09-17T04:19:26-07:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/54426?page=2#posts-1236784'>Vanguarde2</a>:</cite> Like him? His approval rating is plummeting. If he does not push through a quality health care plan it’s guaranteed he won’t get a second term. People voted for him for change, not ‘thanks for trying’.</blockquote> Yeah, because no Democratic president who fails at health care reform has ever won a second term.... <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/54426?page=2#posts-1236784">Vanguarde2</a>:</cite> Like him? His approval rating is plummeting. If he does not push through a quality health care plan it’s guaranteed he won’t get a second term. People voted for him for change, not ‘thanks for trying’.</blockquote> Yeah, because no Democratic president who fails at health care reform has ever won a second term….

2009-08-25T12:58:37-07:00

true

1237459

54426

2009-09-17T04:07:31-07:00

34325

Voted! Yay! Voted! Yay!

2009-08-25T12:43:12-07:00

true

1237431

54613

2009-09-17T04:08:41-07:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/53407?page=4#posts-1209679'>finkle</a>:</cite> The tool of death is irrelevant, its criminal behavior.</blockquote> If the tool did not matter, countries who have stricter gun laws would not have a statistically lower rate of murder than the US does. But they do. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/53407?page=4#posts-1209679">finkle</a>:</cite> The tool of death is irrelevant, its criminal behavior.</blockquote> If the tool did not matter, countries who have stricter gun laws would not have a statistically lower rate of murder than the US does. But they do.

2009-08-18T12:12:54-07:00

true

1209768

53407

2009-09-17T04:01:48-07:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/53115?page=5#posts-1208376'>Aaron_</a>:</cite> I respect Obama’s desire to give everyone affordable healthcare, but I believe that his method of doing it, coupled with the timing, is going to leave the program long term effectiveness a dissappointment to him and his constituents. Lets face it, federal revenue is at the levels it was during 1932, and we have a <a href="http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/">$11,682,530,068,645</a> national debt; We simply cannot hope to finance programs like this.</blockquote> Does no one realize that he's going to pay for it before it actually happens, as opposed to some other health legislation that was attempted in the past? <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/53115?page=5#posts-1208376">Aaron_</a>:</cite> I respect Obama’s desire to give everyone affordable healthcare, but I believe that his method of doing it, coupled with the timing, is going to leave the program long term effectiveness a dissappointment to him and his constituents. Lets face it, federal revenue is at the levels it was during 1932, and we have a <a href="http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/">$11,682,530,068,645</a> national debt; We simply cannot hope to finance programs like this.</blockquote> Does no one realize that he’s going to pay for it before it actually happens, as opposed to some other health legislation that was attempted in the past?

2009-08-17T22:59:35-07:00

true

1208489

107

53115

2009-09-17T04:00:30-07:00

34325

What's really funny is that all these suggestions are actually in the current Health Care reform bill. What’s really funny is that all these suggestions are actually in the current Health Care reform bill.

2009-08-17T08:17:58-07:00

true

1205414

53200

2009-09-17T04:00:53-07:00

34325

bq. Well, first of all I believe (even though it seems most people don’t agree on this forum) that the 46 million is a very misleading number. That includes non-citizens, children that are already covered but not claimed by their parents, and people who can afford it but don’t. After all that is taken out it ends up being less than 15 million people. That is about 5% of the population and actually not that bad. That's not true. Non-citizens or not, if they're sick or injured, an emergency room has to treat them. It's a human rights/ethics thing. And every time an emergency room visit is uncompensated, the brunt of it goes into increasing the costs of those of us with private insurance. So counting all those people is very legit, because it's the 46 million that's causing us part of the problem. As Obama explained in his Montana town hall, expanding the group helps decrease the rates. bq. Yes, our system costs much more than any other system in the world, but like I have said earlier… a lot of that money goes into innovation. We come up with and commercialize more new medicines, procedures, and machines than any other country in the world. I think this is untrue. Health care costs have doubled in the last ten years. The rate of innovation hasn't really seemed to follow suit, as the $25 million or so that goes into, say sleep deprivation research every year is dwarfed by the $145 million spent to advertise Ambien. And the points you make about the Post Office and the VA before actually seem to support the public option that's on the table. Results should be what we care about, not whether an industry that managed to, with one company, make a record $3 billion in profits _during a recession_ will be able to maintain its profit margins. Obama also said during the Montana town hall that the public option will have to be self sustaining, so it won't be allowed to run in the red. I just find it amusing that so many people are so concerned for the giant megalomaniacal corporations who have been literally scamming people for years. You can't deny that heath care reform is needed. You agreed to that above. What, other than the public option, do you have a problem with in the bill? It seems a lot more likely that we'll end up with a co-op instead of a true public option. What about that? A lot of the most significant reforms will be the mandates, the ban on denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and bans of coverage caps. <blockquote> Well, first of all I believe (even though it seems most people don’t agree on this forum) that the 46 million is a very misleading number. That includes non-citizens, children that are already covered but not claimed by their parents, and people who can afford it but don’t. After all that is taken out it ends up being less than 15 million people. That is about 5% of the population and actually not that bad. </blockquote> That’s not true. Non-citizens or not, if they’re sick or injured, an emergency room has to treat them. It’s a human rights/ethics thing. And every time an emergency room visit is uncompensated, the brunt of it goes into increasing the costs of those of us with private insurance. So counting all those people is very legit, because it’s the 46 million that’s causing us part of the problem. As Obama explained in his Montana town hall, expanding the group helps decrease the rates. <blockquote> Yes, our system costs much more than any other system in the world, but like I have said earlier… a lot of that money goes into innovation. We come up with and commercialize more new medicines, procedures, and machines than any other country in the world. </blockquote> I think this is untrue. Health care costs have doubled in the last ten years. The rate of innovation hasn’t really seemed to follow suit, as the $25 million or so that goes into, say sleep deprivation research every year is dwarfed by the $145 million spent to advertise Ambien. And the points you make about the Post Office and the VA before actually seem to support the public option that’s on the table. Results should be what we care about, not whether an industry that managed to, with one company, make a record $3 billion in profits during a recession will be able to maintain its profit margins. Obama also said during the Montana town hall that the public option will have to be self sustaining, so it won’t be allowed to run in the red. I just find it amusing that so many people are so concerned for the giant megalomaniacal corporations who have been literally scamming people for years. You can’t deny that heath care reform is needed. You agreed to that above. What, other than the public option, do you have a problem with in the bill? It seems a lot more likely that we’ll end up with a co-op instead of a true public option. What about that? A lot of the most significant reforms will be the mandates, the ban on denying coverage for pre-existing conditions and bans of coverage caps.

2009-08-16T23:27:08-07:00

true

1204621

53115

2009-09-17T04:00:30-07:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/52067?page=2#posts-1170776'>sgman</a>:</cite> He wants the public option with will in turn lead to UHC (by his own admission) because it will be impossible for private insurance to compete with the government who doesn’t need to make a profit.</blockquote> Like how FedEx, UPS and DHL are dying because of the stiff competition the Post Office brings? Like how private colleges and high schools are destitute because of public schools? Like how private security firms are shutting their doors because of the police? There is plenty of room for the government in health care. Maybe the health insurance companies won't make _3 billion dollars_ in profit during a recession the way they did last quarter, but they'll still go home plenty rich. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/52067?page=2#posts-1170776">sgman</a>:</cite> He wants the public option with will in turn lead to UHC (by his own admission) because it will be impossible for private insurance to compete with the government who doesn’t need to make a profit.</blockquote> Like how FedEx, UPS and DHL are dying because of the stiff competition the Post Office brings? Like how private colleges and high schools are destitute because of public schools? Like how private security firms are shutting their doors because of the police? There is plenty of room for the government in health care. Maybe the health insurance companies won’t make 3 billion dollars in profit during a recession the way they did last quarter, but they’ll still go home plenty rich.

2009-08-10T00:49:51-07:00

true

1177691

105

52067

2009-09-17T03:54:39-07:00

34325

So I suppose in your view, someone "healthy" like, say, Ryan Reynolds, is worth far more than someone who is "unhealthy" like Stephen Hawking? So let's pay for Ryan and throw Stephen in the gutter. Plus, you assume that all health care issues are related to weight and obesity. It's a big problem, but by far not the only one. Thin or fat, you get cancer and you're screwed. I agree that there could be some strong incentives for people to get healthy, and preventative encouragement, but simply saying that "fat people should get horrible care" just makes them a bigger burden on the system. Not to mention this automatically is biased against lower class and poor people. It's an unfortunate truth that the cheapest food is often the unhealthiest. So I suppose in your view, someone “healthy” like, say, Ryan Reynolds, is worth far more than someone who is “unhealthy” like Stephen Hawking? So let’s pay for Ryan and throw Stephen in the gutter. Plus, you assume that all health care issues are related to weight and obesity. It’s a big problem, but by far not the only one. Thin or fat, you get cancer and you’re screwed. I agree that there could be some strong incentives for people to get healthy, and preventative encouragement, but simply saying that “fat people should get horrible care” just makes them a bigger burden on the system. Not to mention this automatically is biased against lower class and poor people. It’s an unfortunate truth that the cheapest food is often the unhealthiest.

2009-08-07T00:47:06-07:00

true

1168962

52067

2009-09-17T03:54:37-07:00

34325

Sure will! Sure will!

2009-07-21T17:52:02-07:00

true

1116262

50123

2009-09-17T03:42:48-07:00

34325

Hey everybody! I was brought on to Kong to direct their funded game effort, to seed the field for microtransaction-based games on the site. Two years later and all the games I worked on are completed, except for Remnants of Skystone, which is very close. Continuing to fund games at the scope Premium Games demand is not very economical for a user-generated games site, so the program is coming to an end. Which means so is my time at Kongregate. I've had tons of fun working here, and I'm very proud of the games we've made. Remnants of Skystone especially is going to blow your socks off. That's right. _Your very socks._ You guys are a wonderful community and you've made it a pleasure to make games for this site. I can't wait to see what Kongregate grows into! I don't yet definitively know what my next gig is going to be, but I'll let you guys know. ;) All my best! Chris Pasley Director of Games Hey everybody! I was brought on to Kong to direct their funded game effort, to seed the field for microtransaction-based games on the site. Two years later and all the games I worked on are completed, except for Remnants of Skystone, which is very close. Continuing to fund games at the scope Premium Games demand is not very economical for a user-generated games site, so the program is coming to an end. Which means so is my time at Kongregate. I’ve had tons of fun working here, and I’m very proud of the games we’ve made. Remnants of Skystone especially is going to blow your socks off. That’s right. Your very socks. You guys are a wonderful community and you’ve made it a pleasure to make games for this site. I can’t wait to see what Kongregate grows into! I don’t yet definitively know what my next gig is going to be, but I’ll let you guys know. ;) All my best! Chris Pasley Director of Games

2009-07-21T17:43:20-07:00

true

1116235

50123

2009-09-17T03:42:48-07:00

34325

All the music and sounds were created custom for Zening by Greg Rahn, http://soundmindz.com/ All the music and sounds were created custom for Zening by Greg Rahn, <a href="http://soundmindz.com/">http://soundmindz.com/</a>

2009-07-20T16:43:56-07:00

true

1112362

49941

2009-09-17T03:41:35-07:00

34325

We're syndicating the games out to drive more traffic here. It's legit We’re syndicating the games out to drive more traffic here. It’s legit

2009-07-20T10:19:35-07:00

true

1111539

49947

2009-09-17T03:41:36-07:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/9/topics/48176?page=3#posts-1073403'>SaintAjora</a>:</cite> Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton are the same person.</blockquote> Except that one actually knows that the White House doesn't have a "Department of Law" to protect her from those nasty ethics investigations. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/9/topics/48176?page=3#posts-1073403">SaintAjora</a>:</cite> Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton are the same person.</blockquote> Except that one actually knows that the White House doesn’t have a “Department of Law” to protect her from those nasty ethics investigations.

2009-07-08T11:31:43-07:00

true

1073747

48176

2009-09-17T03:30:56-07:00

34325

This move has ended her political career. I don't care what the pundits have been saying, that it's a gamble for the White House, whatever. If she can't take the heat from Alaska, she can't from Washington, and if she quit once, she could quit again. Even if you take her own word for it, it's irresponsible - she's leaving because she would be a "lame duck" governor. So what? You're not there to pass laws to make yourself look good. You're there to govern the state, whether you get to be a flashy, folksy conservative hero or not. This move has ended her political career. I don’t care what the pundits have been saying, that it’s a gamble for the White House, whatever. If she can’t take the heat from Alaska, she can’t from Washington, and if she quit once, she could quit again. Even if you take her own word for it, it’s irresponsible – she’s leaving because she would be a “lame duck” governor. So what? You’re not there to pass laws to make yourself look good. You’re there to govern the state, whether you get to be a flashy, folksy conservative hero or not.

2009-07-07T12:57:34-07:00

true

1071388

48176

2009-09-17T03:30:56-07:00

34325

<blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href='/forums/12/topics/43995?page=2#posts-1022351'>KillerFrogs</a>:</cite> It’s starting to look like those past the 200th page will not be able to play the game until it’s released at the end of this month (unless the release date changed). Can someone explain why lots of people that signed up didn’t get the chance to play the beta?</blockquote> Everyone who signed up will get to play the beta. <blockquote><cite>Originally posted by <a href="/forums/12/topics/43995?page=2#posts-1022351">KillerFrogs</a>:</cite> It’s starting to look like those past the 200th page will not be able to play the game until it’s released at the end of this month (unless the release date changed). Can someone explain why lots of people that signed up didn’t get the chance to play the beta?</blockquote> Everyone who signed up will get to play the beta.

2009-06-22T17:59:46-07:00

true

1025153

43995

2009-09-17T03:09:38-07:00

34325

We're on page 102 now. Be patient! We’re on page 102 now. Be patient!

2009-06-03T09:58:21-07:00

true

974722

43995

2009-09-17T03:09:37-07:00

34325

yeah, it'll be in the text yeah, it’ll be in the text

2009-05-20T15:54:32-07:00

true

939828

43489

2009-09-17T03:05:05-07:00

34325

yeah, I know, leave me alone! It's not like I have a degree in English or anything! ... yeah, I know, leave me alone! It’s not like I have a degree in English or anything! …

2009-05-20T14:41:16-07:00

true

939681

43489

2009-09-17T03:05:05-07:00

34325

Hey guys, Mike King (zening) and I have been working since the game's release to fix all the bugs and get everything as polished as we can, and solve any problems that might have arisen. One of the things we really think needs some attention is the Manage Army screen. Right now it's cluttered and confusing, so we've been working on some functional designs to try to improve the experience. I'd like you guys to weigh in on them. This is the map of how the pages will fit together: !http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageWireframe.png! This is where you will choose which game type you want to edit: !http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageChoosePath.png! This is the Manage Hero screen. !http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageHero.png! This is were you will choose which army to edit (yes, multiple saved armies will be implemented): !http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageArmyedit.png! This is new Manage Army screen. !http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageArmy.png! Normally we wouldn't show new stuff like this until it had been designed, but I want to get your opinions before we go that far. Any thoughts? Hey guys, Mike King (zening) and I have been working since the game’s release to fix all the bugs and get everything as polished as we can, and solve any problems that might have arisen. One of the things we really think needs some attention is the Manage Army screen. Right now it’s cluttered and confusing, so we’ve been working on some functional designs to try to improve the experience. I’d like you guys to weigh in on them. This is the map of how the pages will fit together: <img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageWireframe.png" alt="" /> This is where you will choose which game type you want to edit: <img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageChoosePath.png" alt="" /> This is the Manage Hero screen. <img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageHero.png" alt="" /> This is were you will choose which army to edit (yes, multiple saved armies will be implemented): <img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageArmyedit.png" alt="" /> This is new Manage Army screen. <img src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg301/cpasley1/ManageArmy.png" alt="" /> Normally we wouldn’t show new stuff like this until it had been designed, but I want to get your opinions before we go that far. Any thoughts?

2009-05-20T11:25:18-07:00

true

939284

43489

2009-09-17T03:05:05-07:00

34325

Mike King is actually working on an option to allow you to turn the animation speeds up. Mike King is actually working on an option to allow you to turn the animation speeds up.

2009-05-20T11:15:14-07:00

true

939264

43061

2009-09-17T03:02:39-07:00

34325